Chapter 5 Mother Was Gone

The expected encounter with the man didn't occur. Dayna, lost in her thoughts, hadn't realized the room had become silent. She cautiously stepped out of the bathroom and found Jon seated on the bed.

"Why are you here?"

Had Helena deliberately sent him? Helena knew how to pick the perfect moment. Wasn't it too soon to have Jon here since she hadn't been in a compromising situation yet?

"I wouldn't have known what kind of person you really are if I hadn't shown up," Jon remarked coldly.

A stab of pain hit Dayna, yet she managed a dismissive smile. "Isn't that the role I've played all these years? How else could I have stayed with you?"

"Did you know reporters were following you today? If I hadn't intercepted them, tomorrow's headlines would scream about the Matthews Group's CEO's secretary selling herself," Jon snapped.

Dayna wasn't sure if he was more concerned about the company's reputation or if he simply despised her.

Her heart raced.

Dayna knew Helena would definitely inform Jon about tonight. Given his disdain for scandal and his pride, he would surely cast her aside knowing she was with another man. Yet, Dayna hadn't anticipated Helena's cruelty. Helena intended to ruin her completely.

"Thank you, Mr. Matthews," Dayna said, maintaining her indifferent facade.

"Merely saying 'thank you' won't cut it." Jon rose to his feet, drawing her in close.

Dayna beamed, rising on her toes to plant a kiss on him.

"You disgust me," Jon declared, shoving her away before storming out.

As the door slammed shut, Dayna's strength deserted her; she collapsed to the floor.

The concealed knife in her hand cut into her skin, blood seeping out, yet she registered no pain.

Time dragged on before Dayna finally mustered the strength to stand. She retreated to the bathroom and changed back into her own clothes.

Jon had dismissed the man, offering Dayna a temporary reprieve from the peril but not from Helena's looming fury.

Stepping out of the hotel, Dayna noticed the onset of a light drizzle.

A car rolled to a stop beside her. "Miss Allen, Mrs. Matthews requests your presence."

Realizing the inevitable, Dayna opened the car door and climbed inside.

The journey lasted about thirty minutes before they arrived at the Matthews Mansion.

Before Dayna could even step inside, Rhonda flung a thin mat at her feet. Without hesitation, Dayna knelt upon it.

Rhonda, apparently pleased, headed inside to give her report.

As the evening wore on, the villa's lights dimmed one by one until all were extinguished, leaving Dayna enveloped in darkness. Only the patter of raindrops on the steps filled the silence.

As the first light of dawn touched the sky, the private investigator finally brought news regarding Susan.

Dayna had been kneeling for what seemed like an eternity. Numbness had taken over her legs, and when she attempted to stand, she nearly fell. Hurrying, she made her way outside.

A car awaited her, ready to whisk her off to a luxurious sanatorium nestled in the Ontgate Mountain.

Outside her mother's room, Dayna paused for a moment to collect herself, adjusting her clothes and smoothing her hair, aiming to appear calm for Susan's sake.

However, a nurse burst out of the room, her face etched with panic, and blurted out to a nearby colleague, "The patient is missing."

Dayna's complexion drained of color. She hurried into the room, only to find the bed in complete disarray and the IV line dripping onto the floor.

Initially, Dayna thought maybe Helena had moved Susan after discovering the leakage, but she quickly scrapped that idea.

Security footage later confirmed that Susan had left the facility on her own. She had no means of transportation, struggled to walk, and wasn't seen leaving through the main exit.

Filled with dread, Dayna wasted no time in calling the police.

The officers responded promptly and discovered traces of a fall along the hillside path. Given the steep and wooded terrain, they summoned a rescue team.

All Dayna could do was wait in torment.

Suddenly, a pair of shoes appeared in her sight. Raising her eyes, she recognized Jon.

"Why are you here?" she asked, confusion lacing her voice.

"Caroline showed me the note you left her," Jon explained, his expression serious.

Before leaving for the meeting last night, Dayna had entrusted Caroline with a note. She implored Caroline to look after Susan should anything happen to her.

Overwhelmed with worry, Caroline reached out to Jon instead. The disparity in social standing between Caroline and Jon was vast, and Caroline didn't even have his number. Her decision to reach out was clearly born of desperation.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jon demanded.

"Would you have defied your mother if you had known?" She doubted his resolve.

"At least I could have gotten your mom to safety," Jon countered. Yet Dayna had opted to confront Helena's threats alone, declining Jon's help.

Overwhelmed by the weight of her choices, Dayna covered her face, regretting her decision to try and handle everything on her own.

As time wore on, night descended. Surprisingly, Jon stayed. His assistant arrived bearing food, following Jon's instructions, but Dayna found she had no appetite.

"Miss Allen, please try to eat something," the assistant urged gently.

Just then, a shout erupted from the rescue team, slicing through the tense air. "We found her! We found her!"

Energized by a surge of hope, Dayna sprang from her seat, her eyes wide with anticipation.

However, her hope was swiftly crushed. Her heart plummeted as she saw the rescue team approach, carrying a stretcher shrouded with a white sheet.

Feeling a surge of panic, Jon rushed forward, his arms open to comfort Dayna, but she pushed him away with startling force...